For the second year, the Austrian resort of Neustift played host to the Wanderbird Trophy last weekend, the hike-and-fly event aimed at regular pilots who want to experience the sport.
A poor forecast meant that Saturday’s race was limited to a 2pm cut-off and only Aaron Durogati completed the loop twice to win the trophy. In the Hero Women category, Karin Schugg secured the day’s victory.
But Wanderbird is much more than a battle at the front – 66 pilots from around the world took part with the goal of experiencing what the hike and fly scene is all about.
The race kicked off on Saturday, 31 August, at 8.30am from the Parafly Paragliding School in Neustift. From there, the course led to the first turnpoint at the Elferhütte, then continued to the Sennjochhütte in Schlick 2000 on the opposite side of the valley.
To pass the turnpoints, participants had to take a selfie with the turnpoint sign and send it to the race management. Adapted to the conditions, the Fun and Tour categories comprised a 22km loop, while the Hero category challenged participants with two loops totalling 33km.
There are three categories, Fun, Tour and Hero with participants in the Fun category allowed to use cable cars as an aid for ascent. After an after-party with live music, the Sunday saw various masterclasses and workshops, kicking of with a yoga and meditation session, followed by a race debrief from Paul and Aaron.
WOMEN – FUN
- Katrin Benda
WOMEN – TOUR
- Silvia Galli
- Franzi Riegel
- Raphaela Lukanovic
WOMEN – HERO
- Karin Schugg
- Mirjam Barrueto
- Elisabeth Fuchsreiter
MEN – FUN
- Roberto Marconi
- Oliver Walter
- Bene Leonhard
MEN – TOUR
- Patrick Gasperini
- Patrick Grutsch
- Pepe Fröbel
MEN – HERO
- Aaron Durogati
- Lenart Oblak
- Günther Eder
Full results and more info on the next events at wanderbird.io